Local heat programme centres on UK Catapult

November 3, 2015

ByDavid AppleyardContributing Editor

The Smart Systems and Heat (SSH) programme has been launched as the first major project under the UK’s Energy Systems Catapult scheme.

Aiming to create future-proof and economic local heating solutions for the UK, the Catapult will attempt to connect understanding of consumer needs and behaviour with the development and integration of technologies and new business models. The aim is to deliver industry and investor confidence to implement changes in heat provision in the UK.

The Catapult will deliver Phase One of the programme as a supplier to the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) following the transition of the SSH programme team to the Catapult. From 2017 the Catapult will be responsible for delivery of Phase Two of the programme independently of the ETI.

[Native Advertisement]

Phase One will see the SSH team working with three local authorities (Bridgend, Greater Manchester & Newcastle) to create the capability to deliver local area energy plans specific to their communities. In Phase Two, the plan is to undertake a demonstration of the designed local smart energy systems to prove that the capability and approach can be adopted nationally, providing an evidence base for future supportive policy.

Philip New, the CEO of the Energy Systems Catapult, says: ‘The programme provides the foundation for location-specific energy systems design that should help deliver low carbon heating for the UK out to 2050 and beyond.’